ISLAMABAD: Taking serious notice of unnecessary delays in energising net-metered solar connections, the Power Division on Thursday ordered the clearance of the backlog of 1,355 applications within 10 days.

According to an order seen by Dawn, the Power Information Technology Company (PITC) — a subsidiary of the Power Division — reported on Wednesday that ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) were dilly-dallying over net-metering applications for over six months amid changing prosumer regulations.

It was noted that a total of 1,355 out of the total net-metering cases registered with Discos prior to Feb 8, were still pending for installation. The information was based on the tagging of transformers with consumers and the 118 helpline’s complaint-redressal portal.

It was also observed that “a large number of transformers have not been correctly tagged with consumers, resulting in abnormal sanctioned load being reflected against transformers”. This was causing the rejection of net-metering/billing cases.

Discos directed to resolve 1,355 pending net-metering cases within 10 days

Moreover, “the percentage of resolved outage complaints exceeding Nepra-prescribed redressal timelines is also on the higher side”.

The matter was seriously taken up by the power minister. The Discos were, therefore, directed to ensure the installation and energisation of the remaining 1,355 net-metering connections by June 1.

It was also decided that disciplinary action should be initiated against the worst-performing superintending engineers, executive engineers and sub-divisional officers.

Directives have also been issued that bonuses of these officers should be stopped in cases involving unnecessary delays in the installation of net-metering or net-billing connections and delays in attending to and resolving consumers’ complaints.

The applications and complaints had been piling up since late last year as Nepra moved to contain rooftop solar expansion amid the Power Division’s campaign suggesting the national grid was coming under threat as power demand dropped. The Power Division subsequently changed its stance, saying that rather than net-metering, the threat was actually coming from behind the meter as the number of protected consumers more than doubled in about three years.

As Nepra started the hearing process, Discos began delaying the processing of applications and the energising of net-metering connections. Nepra shifted the net-metering regime to a net-billing regime through new prosumer regulations with effect from Feb 8.

Immediately afterwards, the Power Division requested Nepra to protect existing net-metering consumers till the expiry of their terms and announced that applications already received would not face discrimination.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2026